And the business continues to spiral downwards. Barring HASEE TOH PHASEE, which has fared very well at urban centres, the response to HEARTLESS, BABLOO HAPPY HAI and YA RAB was far from euphoric. In fact, the tepid business of HEARTLESS, BABLOO HAPPY HAI and YA RAB reiterates the fact that the clash of multiple films should be avoided at all costs. The clash benefits no one. You don't get the desired number of screens or shows. Nor do you get the desired footfalls, since the audience gets divided.
HASEE TOH PHASEE was expected to dominate the weekend biz and dominate it did, despite an unenthusiastic start on Friday morning. Targeted at the multiplex junta, the biz of this rom-com grew consistently from Friday evening onwards, while the mass-dominated centres remained ordinary/low-key. Saturday and Sunday witnessed further escalation, specifically at urban sectors, which in turn compensated for the not-as-expected business from the mass belt. Let's have a look at the day-wise figures of the film...
Fri - 4.85 cr
Sat - 6.25 cr
Sun - While numbers are still being compiled, early trends suggest 7 cr+ total
In view of the fact that HASEE TOH PHASEE has been embraced warmly by a section of the audience, one can expect the film to maintain a steady march on weekdays as well.
On the other hand, Shekhar Suman's directorial debut HEARTLESS, Nila Madhab Panda's BABLOO HAPPY HAI and YA RAB had a limited release and though the footfalls did [marginally] increase at places [of HEARTLESS specifically], the overall performance remained below par. The non-performance of these three films did benefit JAI HO, albeit marginally.
All in all, this weekend didn't create the desired ripples, but GUNDAY, which arrives on Friday, should pep up the scenario. A section of the industry is convinced that it's the next 100 cr grosser. Will it hit a ton? Fingers crossed!
